UPDATED Highway impacts for USA Pro Challenge

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Staff report

Posted
8/20/14

Because some road closures are based on how fast racers are moving, in addition to whether or not events start on time, impact times of Woodland Park area roads for the USA Pro Challenge race Stage 5 are tenative. But based on information now available, Sgt. Jim Halloran, emergency manager with Woodland Park Police Department, said that U.S. Highway 24, Westbound, will close at 11 a.m. on Friday Aug. 22, at Baldwin Street.

U.S. Highway 24 Eastbound will close at 11 a.m. at Teller 1. Expected time to begin the process of Highway 24 reopening is noon. The side streets will have rolling openings after Highway 24 opens.

The Colorado Department of Transportation, the Colorado State Patrol, and a number of towns and cities are set to host the largest spectator event in state history later this month – the USA Pro Challenge bicycle race.

Beginning on Monday, Aug. 18, and continuing through Sunday, Aug. 24, the Pro Challenge will bring some of world’s top cyclists and fans to Colorado, impacting many state and local roadways. To assist motorists, CDOT’s website cotrip.org will have information regarding highway closures, delays, oversize and overweight restrictions, suggested alternative routes, and answers to frequently asked questions. Links to the host city websites also are provided, offering information regarding local road closures and long-term parking availability. Delay and closure times will be estimates only and subject to change depending on the pace of the race, weather, and other unanticipated conditions.

For real-time information related to highway impacts, motorists are encouraged to sign up for CDOT’s email and text alerts, available at coloradodot.info by clicking on the green cell phone icon. In addition to the cotrip.org website, daily road closure information will be available by calling 511 from anywhere in the state. Following CDOT on Twitter at @coloradodot also provides current updates.

Each year, the Pro Challenge draws more than one million spectators to view the seven-day race in person. Navigating more than 550 miles of terrain, racers will pass through numerous towns and cities, including Aspen, Crested Butte, Gunnison, Salida, Colorado Springs, Woodland Park, Breckenridge, Vail, Boulder and Denver.

CDOT will distribute race information the morning of each stage, with any necessary updates regarding impacts to the state highway system. Additional spectator information is available at the USA Pro Challenge website, usaprocyclingchallenge.com, and on host city and town websites.

Today’s route will impact the following state highways and city roadways between 12:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.:

Ø STATE: Eastbound and westbound U.S. 24 at 21st Street – traffic stops up to 30 minutes and no left or right turns will be permitted onto 21st. Colorado Avenue (U.S. 24 Business) CLOSED between 30th Street and Tejon Street. Interstate 25 off-ramps closed at the Bijou Street Interchange – detour to Uintah Street or Cimarron Street (U.S. 24).

To help motorists navigate the various state and local roadways for the next seven days, the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) website www.cotrip.org will have information regarding highway closures, delays, oversize and overweight restrictions, suggested alternative routes, and answers to frequently asked questions. Links to the host city websites also are provided, offering information regarding local road closures and long-term parking availability. Delay and closure times are estimates only and subject to change depending on the pace of the race, weather, and other unanticipated conditions.

For real-time information related to highway impacts, motorists are encouraged to sign up for CDOT’s email and text alerts, available at www.coloradodot.info by clicking on the green cell phone icon. In addition to the cotrip.org website, daily road closure information will be available by calling 511 from anywhere in the state. Following CDOT on Twitter (@coloradodot) also provides current updates.

Tomorrow’s Highway Impacts:

Aug. 21/Stage 5/Woodland Park to Breckenridge: U.S. 24 west to Tarryall Road (Park County Road 77), U.S. 285 from Jefferson to Fairplay, State Highway 9 from Fairplay to Breckenridge.

CDOT is distributing race information the morning of each stage, with any necessary updates regarding impacts to the state highway system.

Additional spectator information is available at the Pro Challenge website www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com, and on host city and town websites.